Death of René Steegmans

The death of René Steegmans (January 1, 1980 – October 24, 2002) was a violent crime which occurred in Venlo, Netherlands, on October 22, 2002, which drew national attention for being an act of senseless violence.

Steegmans addressed two youths for driving recklessly past an old lady on their scooter. According to witnesses he asked for some respect for the elderly. Eighteen-year-old Khalid Lakhlifi and Sylvio Richters then attacked Steegmans, kicking and beating him several times. Witnesses did not intervene. Steegmans was hospitalised with brain damage at the Radboud Medical Centre in Nijmegen, where he died a day later.[1][2][3]

A silent march was organised to commemorate his death. Khalid was later sentenced to eight years in prison and involuntary commitment. Sylvio, who did not fight but only encouraged Khalid, was sentenced to twelve months of youth detention, of which 6 months on probation.[4] The violent death of René Steegmans, combined with the Moroccan, Muslim background of the perpetrators, caused a national discussion on integration,[5][6][7] and senseless violence.[8][9]

The death of René Steegmans was described in the 2004 number 1 hit single zinloos (English: senseless) by Lange Frans & Baas B, which described several acts of senseless violence.[7]

References
  1. Interview ouders René Steegmans, Dagblad de Limburger, October 19, 2012
  2. , De stille getuigen van Venlo, Zembla, January 9, 2003
  3. , Hoe is het toch met: Joan Haanappel, ouders Rene Steegmans, Frank en Mirella, Evangelische Omroep, April 7, 2011
  4. Acht jaar cel en tbs voor Venlose Khalid L., de Volkskrant, April 26, 2003
  5. Woede richt zich op jonge Marokkanen, Trouw, October 26, 2002
  6. Ouders van Marokkaanse verdachte schokken Venlo, De Standaard, October 28, 2002
  7. Reframing Dutch Culture: Between Otherness and Authenticity, Peter J. Margry, Herman Willem Roodenburg, 2007, page 170
  8. Eis 10 jaar cel en tbs tegen moordenaar René Steegmans, RTL Nieuws, April 15, 2003
  9. Verdachten doodslag René Steegmans blijven in de cel, Algemeen Dagblad, January 24, 2003

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